Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport Darren O’Rourke TD has called on the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan to explain why driver theory test centres are closed today, despite the fact that the Road Safety Authority say they are confident they can run the service safely during restrictions and would welcome the opportunity to show that this is the case.

Declan Naughton of the RSA made the comment on RTÉ’s Saturday with Katie Show at the weekend.

Teachta O’Rourke said:

“While many businesses and services thankfully reopen today after months of closure, theory test centres across the state remain closed, with no date for reopening.

“Considering 100,000 people are now waiting for theory tests alone, I cannot understand how this essential service has again been overlooked by the government.

“Theory test centres are naturally well suited to the extra safety precautions needed for Covid-19, with participants normally spaced out in single compartments to sit the exam.

“At the weekend, the RSA said they would welcome the opportunity to show the department and public health officials that they can run this service safely, and pointed to the fact that they have conducted 42,000 driving tests in the past few months without any recorded Covid-19 transmission.

“If the RSA say they can run this vital service safely, this raises the question as to why the centres remain closed.

“If the Minister for Transport has evidence to the contrary, he should share it, as there seems to be total confusion now as to why they remain closed.

“This needs to be prioritised, as theory test centres have been closed since the end of 2020 and obtaining a learner permit and driving licence is an absolute necessity for people.”